Ponting set to launch new era

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Ricky Ponting's past might have been chequered, but his future is bright.Picture:Getty Images

Ricky Ponting's period as captain of Australia starts on Monday. Of course he is far from a greenhorn and has a World Cup to his name. Still it is Test cricket that counts.

Tournaments won playing abbreviated matches cannot be taken as seriously as protracted affairs in which a man's entire game is subjected to the most rigorous examination.

Considering his present standing, it is easy to forget that Ponting's appointment raised eyebrows. After all he was promoted above senior players with legitimate claims whose hats had been thrown into the ring.

Ponting was a roughie with a colourful past. Not that every predecessor has followed the monastic course. Still, it was a bold move by a cricket community intent upon promoting youth. Not the least attraction of Australian cricket is that it reaches across the classes and generally prefers adventure to solidity.

Subsequent events have confirmed that Shane Warne did not deserve the honour while Adam Gilchrist has a patchy record and much upon his plate.

Judging by his tactics in state matches, Darren Lehmann is not as profound a thinker as has been supposed. Contrastingly Ponting has continued to mature and his performance will cheer those convinced that man is master of his own destiny.

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Ponting will captain his country until the end of the decade. He is young, fit and has an undiminished appetite for the game. Only three men have secured appointment as Australian Test captain since 1984, an indication that the position is not lightly given or taken away.

Unlike counterparts in other countries, Ponting will not be called to account as soon as a couple of matches are lost. Indeed the newcomer is not expected to match the results of his immediate predecessor, an uncommon luxury. Australian cricket has sufficient maturity to accept bad patches provided enthusiasm is maintained.

Rather, Ponting will be expected to perform with a dignity befitting his responsibilities. He will also be expected to preside over an evolving team as past champions are replaced. It might not be easy. Australia's under-19 team did not win the plate final of its recent World Cup let alone the competition proper.

Not that any pessimism need be felt about the team's prospects in Sri Lanka. Ponting's side has played with sufficient skill and success to beat the Lankans on their own patch. Certainly the Australians will not play timidly. Teams take after their captains and the Tasmanian is not inclined to agonise. He will provide energetic and decisive leadership and must just take care that he does not allow sentiment to affect his judgement.

Soon Ponting and his selectors will be forced by the passing of time to find some younger players capable of turning promise into fulfilment.

Among those present at the SCG yesterday, Michael Clarke singularly failed to enhance his reputation, losing his wicket by pulling a short delivery straight into the hands of a deep fieldsman. On his way back to the pavilion he passed a familiar figure, who seemed to be muttering: "I told 'em it was a risky shot."

Doubtless Steve Waugh was not pleased with the news from Hobart. Victoria's subsidence has shattered lingering hopes of a grand finale. It is quite a thought that the Waugh twins - admired and loved - will not be seen again in this company.

Nathan Hauritz's bowling has improved in the past few weeks because he has stopped pushing the ball through on a predictable and discouraging trajectory. Accordingly he was able to tempt and tease the batsmen. Australia must find a fresh crop of slow bowlers. Rising tweakers cannot learn their trade overnight and seldom benefit from prematurely trying to meet the requirements of the 50-over game.

Ponting will have his eyes upon this pair and also Shane Watson, a strong cricketer who has a part to play in the Ponting years. Marcus North has made his mark and might well challenge for a place in the one-day side.

Ponting must hope that some of these men develop the greatness needed by any side hoping to dominate the international scene.